Effects of ethanol on sodium, 3-O-methyl glucose, and L-alanine transport in the jejunum

Effects of ethanol on Na+, Cl-, 3-O-methyl glucose (3-O-MG), and L-alanine fluxes were studied in the isolated rattit jejunal mucosa. Ethanol (3% v/v present on both sides of the mucosa) decreased electrical potential difference (PD), short-circuit current (Isc) and inhibited active transport of Na+, 3-O-MG, and L-alanine. This concentration also increased the permeability of the mucosa for Cl-, 3-O-MG, and L-alanine. Ethanol at 5.4% potentiated the effects on PD, Isc, and the permeability for electrolytes and organic substances. These effects of ethanol could not be fully explained by an osmotic action.